National Catholic school week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States and runs from Jan. 29-Feb. 4th.
The theme for 2017 is “Catholic Schools: Communities of faith, Knowledge and Service.”
This has been celebrated for over 40 years and its main function is to raise awareness of what Catholic Schools provide.
These schools observe this annual celebration with masses, open houses and other activities for students, families. parishioners and community members.
Catholic schools strengthen relationships and produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, families and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment rich in spirituality, character and moral development.
We at St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus Council #5911 have seen this first with the fine students of Divine Wisdom Academy at St. Anastasia Parish in Douglaston, who have been educated there and have graduated with high honors. We have been involved with the school with their various fundraisers.
You see, we realize these students are tomorrow’s leaders.
We have in the past have sponsored an essay contest for a number of years. The title is called, Responsibility of a Catholic Citizen in a Free Society.”
We have given out certificates from the Supreme Knights of Columbus and also a cash award to the three winners.
We have also given out certificates to all those who had written essays. We have found the essays to be most exceptional.
Furthermore we have found these students have turn in quite impressive essays, which I believe is due in part to caring parents and teachers who do their best to see that these young people become the very best they can be.
As such I hope that our good Lord helps us to continue to keep our Catholic Schools vibrant and thriving, for these schools need to stay open, as these young people are our nation’s future.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Mineola
Writer is Grand Knight
of St. Anastasia Knights
of Columbus
Council #5911.
